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Swab A Frog For Good Health – But Not At Home

Travel

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September 3, 2010

Swab A Frog For Good Health – But Not At Home

UAE scientists have found that chemicals on frog skin can produce antibiotics for otherwise resistant “superbugs”

Frogs eat annoying, disease-carrying mosquitoes that we’re so eager to get rid of, as well as other insects and pests, and despite being a tasty snack for various omnivores, including humans, have survived 300 million years of earth’s onslaughts. Their divergent adaptations make the strangest circus seem dull: some use their eyeballs to swallow and another – the Gastric Brooding frog now extinct – used to swallow its eggs and raise its tadpoles in its stomach.

Sadly, approximately 1/3 of frog species have gone extinct. Conservation International (CI) scientists are currently scouring forest floors and caves and water bodies around the world for amphibian species in order to find ways to protect them. And if we – and I do mean we since we contribute to their habitat’s health – are successful at rehabilitating endangered populations, not only will we score a victory for biodiversity, but we’ll also score a victory for human health.

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Get Naked at Dead Sea for Spencer Tunick

Travel

Tinamarie Bernard

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September 3, 2010

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Get Naked at Dead Sea for Spencer Tunick

Get naked at the Dead Sea – for the environment!

Spencer Tunick, famous for his mass nude photographs of people set against unique backgrounds and landscapes, has chosen the Dead Sea to shoot his eco-sexy art.

That means hundreds to thousands of Israelis will need to volunteer to strip to their birthday suits, all for an important cause: The Dead Sea. Losing water every year, it is feared that the Dead Sea could turn into sludge if it continues to dry up at the current rate. Time to get naked for the environment?

Since 1994, Tunick’s photographic images have inspired us to see the naked form juxtaposed against the natural world through a unique lens, one that unifies and shows our vulnerability. “The individuals en masse, without their clothing, grouped together, metamorphose into a new shape,” his website states.

naked dead sea spencer tunick — *Naked Dead Sea, 2011*

“The bodies extend into and upon the landscape like a substance. These grouped masses which do not underscore sexuality become abstractions that challenge or reconfigure one’s views of nudity and privacy.”

And while the concept, ecosexuality, didn’t exist when Tunick began his work, it is a fitting description of his photography. The artist has previously worked with Greenpeace in an effort to raise environmental awareness.

Ecosexuality, the idea that our personal lives can and must be made sustainable, is as much about art and culture as it is about the lubrication we use, the foods we eat, or the sexual aids we purchase and play with.

The latter is often easier for green-virgins to grasp; the idea that GMO foods can have deleterious consequences on reproductive health, or that there are natural ways for men to improve sexual performance and women to enhance libidos, makes ready sense to someone newly minted into the world of sustainable sexuality.

How we view ourselves vis-à-vis the natural world, and how we take on the role of stewardship of this planet is connected to our reproductive survival too. As the authors of Gaia and the New Politics of Love point out, Mamma Earth doesn’t need us in order for the planet to survive, but we most certainly need her.

Several months ago Tunick expressed interest in shooting a mass nude scene in the Tel Aviv Port and had even hired an Israeli production company to carry out the plan. However, he dropped the project after encountering difficulty in raising funds for the complicated shoot. A total of $700,000 would have been required to close down the port compound and arrange the shoot.

The Dead Sea, long considered a crown Jewel for health and wellbeing is in the running for one of the World’s New Seven Wonders became the next choice – as he is concerned about the health of the Dead Sea. To be held next spring, with no set date, environmentalists are now looking to raise $250,000 to bring Spencer to Israel.

Update 2011: Some photos Dead Sea Naked photos below

naked dead sea photo areil — An aerial perspective of Spencer Tunick’s Naked Sea project at the Dead Sea. Photo by Itamar Grinberg.

Top 5 Arab Sustainable Designers

Design

Arwa Aburawa

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September 2, 2010

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From New York to Egypt, Arab architects and designers show that it’s possible to be cool and environmentally responsible.

At Green Prophet, we are always happy to celebrate talented designers who care about the environment and nothing gets us more excited then when they are from the Middle East/North Africa region. So, I have put together our top 5 Arab sustainable designers who have inspired us to care for the environment through their spectacular designs. From fashion designers, architects to interior designers those Arab designers who have put sustainability at the heart of their work are here!

nadia-nour-eco-fashion

Nadia Nour~ Egyptian Fashion Designer

Nadia Nour is an Egyptian fashion designer based in New York who has a real flare for creating environmentally-friendly fashion. Combining elegant designs with organic cottons, silks and vintage fabrics, she insists that you can still be fashionable and care for environment.

She has taken the fashionistas in New York by storm and states that not only are green fabrics healthier for people and the planet but they also make for a softer and more durable fabric. As she remarked in an interview at Green Prophet, “women do not have to sacrifice style to be green.”

Nour encourages green shoppers to read the labels carefully and educate themselves about the negative impacts of the fashion industry. She insists that not only will this help build demand for more eco-clothing but it should help make better decisions when shopping.

Ziad Ghanem~ Lebanese Fashion Designer

Next up is Ziad Ghanem, a Lebanese fashion designer who is a master of recycled fashion couture. Ghanem shocked viewers at the London fashion week with his anti-consumerism message and vibrant designs which were all environmentally-conscious. Sourcing his fabrics from second-hand stores, Ghanem’s creations are printed using environmentally-friendly techniques under ethical working conditions.

As fellow Green Prophet writer Karen Chernick notes, “unlike other high fashion designers, Ghanem brings a funky environmental consciousness to his work that proves “green” ideas have their place in the world of couture.”

Zaha Hadid~ Iraqi Architect

Now this one is a little more controversial. Iraqi-born Zaha Hadid is no doubt one of the most influential architects in the world – in fact she was named as one of TIME Magazines top 100 influential people this year- but her green credentials are little more questionable.

Tafline Laylin of Green Prophet reported this summer that whilst her team had begun to explore more sustainable design methods, “[Hadid] has spent her entire career allowing her futuristic imagination free reign with little thought to the environmental consequences of her ambition.”

Even so, if Hadid did take her growing concern for sustainability more seriously (rather than focusing on getting LEED certification for Saudi’s Petroleum Studies and Research Centre) she could be an unstoppable force for change.

Karim Rashid~ Egyptian Designer

Karim Rashid is a leading figure in the design world with a flair for creative green designs. With over 300 awards under his belt, Rashid has created some amazing products that help you stylishly save the planet.

Born in Cairo, Rashid is half Egyptian, half English and his work includes the ingenious Bobble reusable bottle which has built-in water filter to help remove chlorine and organic contaminant as well as being recycled, re-usable and cheap.

Other green inventions include beautiful T-Rex lighting and an Eco-house made from recycled and eco-materials unveiled during Milan Design Week.

Hassan Fathy~ Egyptian Architect

Hailed as the Middle East’s Father of Sustainable Architecture, Hassan Fathy is an Egyptian architect who has inspired a generation of unique projects from Greece to New Mexico. What makes him stand out is his passion for sustainable projects incorporating traditional design and building materials such as mud, which he brought to the poor Egyptian peasant masses.

In 1946, he was commissioned to build a new Gourna village for 3,000 families and decided to include the villagers in the transition by enlisting them as builders, and by using their traditional architectural techniques and materials. Although he passed away in 1989, Fathy continues to inspire a generation of architects to embrace sustainable design. For that he makes it as number one!

Have we missed anyone out? If so, let us know and we might feature them right here on Green Prophet.

For More on Sustainable Design:

Zolaykha Sherzad Resurrects Traditional Afghan Crafts Via Modern Fashion Design

Will Foster & Partners Achieve Carbon Neutrality In Hong Kong?

“New Dress A Day” Blog Takes Consumerism Out of the Fresh Fashion Equation

Turkey’s Smart New Connection to Europe

Business

Tafline Laylin

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September 2, 2010

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While Turkey’s clean, smart energy solutions and its pending grid connectivity to Europe are praiseworthy, can we cut back demand too?

Critics of GE’s Ecomagination program – which is said to offer cleaner, smarter power solutions – claim that GE is simply airbrushing an unsustainable model, perpetuating the very consumer culture that needs to be curtailed if homo sapiens expect to survive its own damage to this planet. This model has been exported not only to Masdar City, where GE has set up a major hub, but most recently to Turkey. And therefore, by extension, to Europe, since this month Turkey will connect to Europe’s power grid using GE’s smart grid technology.

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One State. One Environment

Business

Green Prophet Guest

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September 2, 2010

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As peace talks resume, can environmental issues create bridges and links between opposing sides?

JERUSALEM – Every few years, the idea of establishing one state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea rises and falls like a phoenix; a dream of a state where both Palestinians and Israelis live in peace with no borders, no barriers, cultural autonomy and equal citizenship for all.

In the 1940’s this idea was endorsed by leftist Jewish circles; in the 1980’s the PLO called for the establishment of a secular democratic state on the entire land, in the 1990’s it was championed by Palestinian intellectuals who had given up on the two-state solution and most recently this same idea has been articulated with some nuances by people on the right of the Israeli political map like former Defence Minister Moshe Arens.

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Too Much Salt or Not? 6 Tips for Salt

Health

Naomi Ben-David

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September 2, 2010

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Salt comes in many forms and has many uses. How many are you aware of?

One of the most common features of a set table is the salt shaker sitting neatly next to the pepper grinder. Saltiness is not only one of the basic tastes next to sweetness, bitterness and sourness, it is also one of the oldest forms of seasoning. From simple table salt to the mineral-rich salt of the shrinking Dead Sea, there are many forms of salt available.

Beyond existing in various forms, salt also has a multitude of uses in the kitchen, which exceed simply seasoning food. There are several tricks in regard to using, as well as removing salt, that can be handy in day to day life.

1. How many times have you accidentally slipped, pouring too much salt into a soup or stew? By putting a raw peeled potato into the stew or soup, you can remove some of that extra salt. As the potato boils, it absorbs the salt from the water, taking away the overriding saltiness of the food. Of course you can always repeat the procedure if you have had a major over-salting accident.

2. When it comes to meat however, the best solution is to soak the meat in water prior to cooking. Cured meat is often very salty, so letting the meat stand in water overnight is a great trick.

3. Adding salt to vegetables is relatively common, whether it is in salads or in cooking. The reason for this is that salt subtly enhances the natural flavours of the vegetables. If you are boiling any kind of green vegetable, you can add a fair amount of salt without having to worry about salt absorption. Green vegetables contain a great deal of water, so they will not absorb much of the salty water they are boiled in, just enough to taste great.

4. If you want to boil water at a higher temperature salt can be handy. It doesn’t make the water boil faster, but it does make the water boil at a higher temperature. Keep in mind that the difference in temperature will vary depending on how much salt you add.

5. Salt is also useful in desserts in small quantities. Adding just a pinch of salt to cream and egg whites makes them whip faster, higher and better. It will give you that really stiff quality that is necessary in so many desserts, without impacting the flavour.

6. Another useful trick is to add just a touch of salt to garlic before you crush it. Making garlic into a nice smooth paste before adding it to your cooking means that nobody will find themselves biting into a piece of garlic. Instead the flavour will be evenly spread throughout the dish. Adding salt allows you to make a nice smooth paste very easily.

Despite the many health issues surrounding salt, it is an extremely valuable tool in the kitchen. This simple spice is extremely versatile, so why not try a pinch?

Jewish Charity UJIA Goes Green in London

Business

Green Prophet Guest

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September 2, 2010

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Jewish Charity UJIA Goes Green in London

UJIA’s Green Thread aims to make the charity more ecologically and economically efficient

One of the biggest Jewish charities in the UK has adopted a green policy to reduce its environmental footprint. The United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA) decided that moving to new offices in north London last year was the perfect opportunity to examine how the organisation could reduce its environmental impact. This initiative could have a knock-on effect around the world – even the Middle East.

“Being environmentally responsible runs through everything we do at UJIA. Since moving into our new Camden offices, we have been putting our green principles into practise,” explains David Janner-Klausner, UJIA’s programme and planning director (pictured above, left, alongside UJIA chief executive, Douglas Krikler).

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30 Mosques in 30 States: USA’s Organic Muslims

Travel

Zaufishan

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September 2, 2010

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Two men travel throughout 30 America states to discover a whole host of Muslims with a balanced, earthen attitude to life.

We have enjoyed traveling along with Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq on their 30 Mosques in 30 States Ramadan road trip. 30-in-30 is the return of a journey by two Muslims and their quest to green America; they began their trip on August 11th in New York City and are en route to visit 30 different mosques.

They have lit up hidden Muslim communities and the multi-faith integration in the US. The ethnic diversity within American Muslim communities has enlightened the bloggers and readers that despite our reluctance to talk about the environment and waste, we are all still people with concern for one another and ourselves. The word humility buzzes throughout their blog posts.

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Rosh HaShanah Honey Chiffon Cake Recipe

Recipe

Miriam Kresh

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September 1, 2010

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Foods flavored with honey symbolize the desire for a sweet New Year in the Jewish calendar.

Go the locavore way and pick up some local honey for baking this Rosh Hashannah. Local honey is good for you – and what better way to eat it than by celebrating the holiday with this light, spicy cake?

Honey Chiffon Cake Ingredients

4 eggs, separated

1 cup sugar

1 cup honey

1 cup oil

3 ½ cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup strong tea

Making the Honey Cake

Preheat the oven to 300 F, 150 C.

Have ready 3 bowls: one deep, and two medium-sized.

In one of the medium bowls, beat the egg whites till stiff.

In the deep bowl, beat the egg yolks till light. Beat the sugar in. Beat in the honey, then the oil. It will be a thick emulsion.

Sift the flour, baking powder and soda, spices and salt together into the second medium bowl.

Add the dry ingredients to the egg/honey mix, alternating with the tea. Start and end with the flour mixture. This is now the batter.

Mix the egg white mixture into the batter, folding it in gently but making sure that it’s well incorporated.

Pour into a greased and floured 9″ x 13″ cake pan. Bake for 1 hour.

Cool the cake and sift powdered sugar over the surface.

Slice, and enjoy!

More recipes for a sweet New Year from Green Prophet:

Flan, a Sophisticated “Slow” Summertime Dessert
Two Fig Recipes with Arak and Cream
Silky White Malabi, Middle Eastern Milk Pudding

UAE Scholars And Imams Speak Up For The Environment

Arwa Aburawa

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September 1, 2010

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UAE Scholars And Imams Speak Up For The Environment

Littering and lack of moderation violates important Islamic tenants, according to prominent scholars

With businesses in the UAE slowly beginning to take the environment message seriously, it seems that scholars and imams are now doing the same. During a Ramadan seminar titled ‘Islam and Environment’ organised by the Emirates Environmental Group, the renowned Islamic scholar Ahmad Al Kubaisi launched a campaign asking citizens to moderate their use of water in the country.

According to reports from Gulf News, Al Kubaisi noted that earth is mentioned 88 times in the Qur’an, which highlights its importance, and he added that “The Prophet cursed anyone who muddies a water stream, while he said that he saw a man in the highest ranks of paradise because he removed a thorn from the road.”

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Your Pee Could Power Ecobot III

Tech

Tafline Laylin

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September 1, 2010

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Bristol scientists hope to build an autonomous robot that runs by digesting energy-rich waste products

As we begin to consider alternative sources of energy for the Middle East, where even oil-rich Saudi is developing its solar sector, diversifying our portfolio will take pressure off any one source and generate further safety nets. Technology developed for space missions can clean solar panels and make them more effective, and new mini-turbines are sufficiently quiet and aesthetically pleasing to use in residential applications. But we haven’t yet considered using urine to create fuel cells. Researchers at the Bristol Robotics Lab (BRL) have, and hope to use their Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) already capable of running on other forms of waste for outdoor applications such as music festivals.

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Marilyn Monroe And “The Salon of Beauty” In Dubai

Cities

Tafline Laylin

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September 1, 2010

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Marilyn Monroe And “The Salon of Beauty” In Dubai

Palm Jumeirah Island room with a view, for “only” $200 a day

Last year, at the peak of Dubai’s economic crisis, there was a massive expatriate exodus. Fearing debtors jail, many foreigners with unpaid bank loans abandoned their cars at Dubai’s airport parking lot. The New York Times described a policy of silence that forbade critics to discuss the extent of the Emirate’s problems.

Rumors spread that one of the Palm Islands, Palm Jumeirah, was sinking at a rate of 5mm per year, which the government-owned developer Nakheel since disputed, and that World developers were struggling to pay their bills. Nonetheless, despite concerns that the Gulf artificial islands can cause soil erosion and other environmental damage, the Palm islands are in full flux. We’ve been given a rare look at the inside of one of the island’s 8,000 apartments (and villas).

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Food For Thought – Iron Chef America’s Vegetarian Challenge

Health

Naomi Ben-David

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August 31, 2010

2

Food For Thought – Iron Chef America’s Vegetarian Challenge

Have you ever looked at vegetables and thought “I can base a whole meal on all of this?”

Seared salmon, braised lamb, sauteed beef: sounds delicious, but what about vegetables? Here in the Middle East we love our kebabs, shawarmas and barbecues, but recently The Food Network aired an episode of Iron Chef America that gave us food for thought – a completely vegetarian menu.

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“Eco Options Egypt” Makes Egyptian Environmentalism Easy and Accessible

Lifestyle

Karen Chernick

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August 31, 2010

1

“Eco Options Egypt” Makes Egyptian Environmentalism Easy and Accessible

Eco Options Egypt is working on becoming a one-stop shop for resources on leading a green lifestyle in Egypt.

It’s not always easy to be green. Good intentions aside, if you habitually need to go out of your way to be eco-friendly then the chances are that eventually you’ll give up. If you can’t find the green resources easily, then you probably won’t use them. Eco Options Egypt, a blog operated by Donya Desee, understands this and wants to make it as easy as possible for Egyptians to understand all the environmentally-friendly options out there. Being green in Egypt is now a little bit easier.

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US Leaves Iraq With A Legacy Of Waste

Cities

Tafline Laylin

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August 31, 2010

1

$5 Billion couldn’t put their country back together; will Iraqis be able to pick up the pieces?

What is more wasteful than war? Bomb a place, destroy its infrastructure so that ordinary citizens lack basic services, topple a few monuments important to the national identity targeted, kill several thousand people, including approximately 100,000 civilians according to www.iraqbodycount.org, and then put it all back together again.

In a measure of apparent good will, the US committed to re-building Iraq during peak offensives, which was akin to rebuilding New Orleans while Katrina roared above the city. As a result, approximately $5 billion dollars lie in incomplete buildings that Iraq will have to pick up. On the one hand, Iraqis will have a stake in rebuilding their nation, but on the other, America’s mentality that money can solve all problems has left behind expensive environmental and psychological scars that may not heal quickly.

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